A savage soldier thrust his lance several times near the breast of M.
Alari and said, "Say where your money is hidden or I will stab you."
The saintly man quietly replied that he had none. His companion, when questioned made the same answer. The Viceroy fearing lest the secret of their treasure should be buried with them in the tomb, attempted to wring it from them by torture. At the word of command, a soldier seized a cudgel about seven or eight feet long and thick in proportion.
The missionaries lying face downwards on the ground were expecting death any moment. A stalwart ruffian approached and laid on several blows with the cudgel with his utmost strength.
Their bodies were streaming with blood and they were left for several hours on the spot exposed to the burning rays of the sun which rendered their wounds more painful. The irritation caused by insects eating their flesh and sucking their blood caused new torments, and they were surrounded by armed executioners ready to put an end to their existence.
The Viceroy was astonished at their fortitude, and was convinced that men who held earthly possessions of so little value could not be attracted by the desire of wealth. He made a sign to the interpreter who had treated them so badly and had them raised from the ground. They partook of some food that the other Christians had prepared for them, and, for a long time endured the most acute sufferings.
Jeanchi overcome with shame was unable to conceal the state of his feelings.
The missionaries were convinced that he was repenting of what he had done, and exhorted the Christians not to reproach him. He continued to reside with the flock whose shepherds he had wished to destroy. The Missionaries were transferred to a filthy hovel exposed to the inclemency of the weather. The night-dews and the bad food hindered the recovery of their strength.
Mamasadech, always kind-hearted, and a philanthropist before everything, offered them the use of his ship that was anchored a few leagues distant. Here their health was restored and they had the pleasure of seeing the arrival of the Christians who found a haven on the waters, free from the unpleasant conditions they had fled from on land. A few days after they set sail for Rangoon, the seaport of the Kingdom of Ava.
The Burmese army engaged in pillage, rather than in conquest, made away with the property of the conquered. When they had taken all that was to be had, they sought a new prey. The leader in the flush of his initial successes was sure of easy victories. He marched against Ayuthia, as he considered that if the capital fell, the other towns would submit without much difficulty.
The route lay across vast forests and over steep mountains. All these obstacles had been foreseen and provided for. The provinces situated to the north west of the capital were laid waste and the inhabitants through fear of death or slavery fled to the forests, where they had to contend against wild beasts for their existence. The burning towns and villages threw the capital into a state of panic. The Siamese threatened with utter ruin, massed their forces and marched in fear against an enemy of whose courage they had had experience so many times. They ventured on a battle, and fought with greater courage than they were wont to exhibit. A crushing defeat was inflicted on them which left the whole country at the mercy of the invader.